LJ FB: Quotebook Weeks 3-4-5

By Ed Piper

John Joyner, head coach, Mater Dei Catholic football, before Fri., Sept. 17 game, when asked what he expected La Jolla High to do with starting quarterback Jackson Stratton out: "Tyler Roach is one of the most under-rated coaches in San Diego County. (He'll have some plans.)"

Joyner, again pregame, asked which of his players he wanted to see step up for the game against the Vikings: "Jason Harden. Luke Teskey. They're both defensive ends." (Did they step up? Don't know. MDC did win, 56-18.)

Two years ago, before COVID, before the MDC-LJ game, the coach was asked for a roster; his response: "What are you going to do with it?" I, wearing my CIF media pass, replied: "Cover the game." Reluctantly, he sent me from the football field up to the stop of the stands to ask the announcer for a roster.

Roach, after being asked Stratton's status: "(Kevin Steel) He'll play some." Justin Scully? "Yes." "And (Ma)Kai will play some (in a wildcat, as it turned out). We have some things... Plus there's a few guys out with COVID." (He could not name names, since that would break medical confidentiality.)

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Leigh Cole, head football coach, Del Norte High, on "Military Night" Sept. 10, why their program observes the special night: "Kayden Clements started it. We started three years ago. Kayden did one in 2014. My dad was a World War II vet. My uncle served. My aunt served." I shared that my father, Ed Piper Sr., enlisted at age 19 and served as a navigator on B-17 and B-31 bombers over Nazi Germany in WWII.

Cole: "I grew up in Mountain View (Bay Area). Apple, Google, Netscape are there. Moffett Air Base is there. It's a great home."

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Joel Allen, head football coach, Point Loma, before LJ-Point Loma game Sept. 3, week #3:

Q: What's your thought process?

A: Either slow down or stop the pass. Limit the turnovers.

Q: Juniors didn't participate? (Some juniors, then some seniors declined to participate on Point Loma's team with a new coach.)

A: That was varsity. (Other levels played.)

Q: Have you had a good response from those who are playing?

A: Yes. (Shrugged.)

We haven't been able to finish. We led both games at halftime.

(Point Loma led La Jolla, until the LJ offense staged a comeback for a 28-21 win.)